The Princess and the Blade

[Emora Deen]

Laurius was surprised to hear about Artisuren’s child, but he spoke of it with a strange detachment. Like he was a horse who had studded for someone.

His question tore Laurius from his curious thoughts, though. “Yes, for some. It’s all about interests. Some males are only attracted to females, some females are only attracted to males. Some men are only attracted to men, and vice versa. Then, there are people like me who don’t believe in limiting their experiences to one sex—though, I’ll admit men have been my primary partners. Women tend to get more sentimental and want to hold onto something that, for me, is casual.” Laurius moved a pawn. “I take it males don’t partake of eachother where you’re from. Pity. You’re missing out.”

[Soran Nightblade]

Artisuren scoffed when he brought up "missing out".

"No. Such a thing is never done. What value would there be in mating if one cannot beget any offspring? Besides, no Yurivis in her right mind would permit such a wasteful act."

[Emora Deen]

Laurius chuckled. “Is a Yurivis your wife? I imagine a wife would be upset that her husband frolicked with another—especially a man. Unless you are the Princess’s parents, I suppose…” He sighed. “But, to answer your question, the value is in the pleasure of it. The fun. The connection. It’s not a waste. Lots of people have sex with no intention of having children. In fact, I’d wager a majority do it without that goal in mind. I know I have no want for a miniature version of myself.” Laurius hesitated, remembering Artisuren was a father.

[Soran Nightblade]

Artisuren wasn't sure how to answer his question. He wasn't quite sure how the language spell worked, but 'wife' didn't feel like the right word. And the idea of not being concerned with children was as insane as not being concerned with having money or a roof over your head. This place was so strange and unreal. He reached out and moved one of the opposite side's pawns, mirroring his. He disliked the game. It felt hollow. Futile. "What next?" he muttered, looking blankly at the board.

[Emora Deen]

“To be honest, I was never a fan of chess. Which is odd, considering I’ve spent my life playing a similar game—always trying to be one step ahead.” Laurius’s gaze goes to the board but it feels distant, far off at something else. “Your world seems hard and very boring,” he finally said, glancing up. “While this one can be hard for some, at least we have a lot of fun. Tell me what you do for fun, Arti.”

[Soran Nightblade]

Artisuren's stomach twitched. He wondered if the man had phrased the question as a command for his benefit. "Artisuren," he growled. He crossed his arms and glanced at the window.

"Did you grow these yourself, Ren?"

A touch of color darkened his cheeks. "I like to garden."

[Emora Deen]

“You’ll appreciate my home, then,” he said. “Some years ago, I bought a small estate near the border. It’s a large house, a little too large for me but…” Laurius got that distant look again. “I told myself I’d own a home like it when I was a child, and now I do. It has a garden. I haven’t done anything with it but you might enjoy tending—“ He frowned. He didn’t know how long this corporealness lasted. He also was forgetting Artisuren’s purpose—what he truly was.

A weapon.

Laurius cleared his throat. “Your move.”

[Soran Nightblade]

Laurius moved a knight out into the fray, one square too far, deliberately breaking the movement rules he'd been told. He was flustered. This man spoke as if he planned to keep him at his side. He wondered how many were already there.

"How many flames are at your...estate? He asked the man in the traditional turn of phrase from his world.

[Emora Deen]

“Flames?” Laurius asked. “I think there is a fireplace in almost every room. The border tends to be on the cool side most of the year, since it’s in the mountains, and the winters are particularly harsh.” He motioned to the piece Artisuren had just moved. “Move it back where it belongs.”

He rubbed his eyes, feeling the lull of exhaustion pulling him back towards sleep. It would help if he sat up, but he was too comfortable lounging on his side.

[Soran Nightblade]

Artisuren looked down at the board, hiding his shock. A flame in every room? He said it was a large house. How large? Were they bonded to him?

He shook himself. He didn't want to know. He reached out and slid the knight back where it belonged. When he glanced back up at Laurius, the man was rubbing at his eyes. Was he tired? No, no, he didn't care. He wasn't this person's Ivis. He needn't fuss over him. He deserved to be tired, after what he put him through.

[Emora Deen]

“What are we doing?” Laurius asked, sighing. It was late, and, at first, he felt this had purpose but it also seemed to be aimlessly moving forward and he didn’t like time-sinks. “This game—both the board and between us. What is your goal?”

He sat up slowly. “If your goal is to appeal to my sentiments, let me be clear: I can’t release you. I can’t send you back. You are here. You are my blade now. That is just the way it is.”

Laurius slipped out of bed, unbuckling his belt and tugging off his shirt. He stood in the moonlight a minute before turning to the bathroom. “I’m getting a shower.”

[Soran Nightblade]

Artisuren scowled at the game. The half-assed instructions had settled the throbbing for the time being. If he went on interacting with the man this way, he should be able to provoke enough offhand commands to whittle down the cravings. There was no need to explain it to him.

But that assumed he would continue this level of interaction when they reached the man's estate. With a harem to choose from....

Wait in your quarters. I don't want to see you again until you're aflame."

"I couldn't care less about finding favor with you," he threw back hotly. Artisuren stole the man's bed and pillow. If he was punished, at least it would cool him off. He settled onto the mattress, but followed Laurius's figure from the corner of his eye.

He had never thought of a male as beautiful before. Maybe it was just the exotic color of his skin and hair. And the silhouette of his male figure as he undressed was... He bit back a flash of memory of that huge body thrusting inside him, and shoved his face into the pillow.

[Emora Deen]

Laurius left Artisuren to stew. The shower woke him but not by much. He returned to the room to find the pale white glow of morning on the horizon. The water had pulled the curls of his long hair straight. It clung to his shoulders and back as he crossed the room with nothing it a towel around his waist.

He eyed the stolen portion of the bed. It wasn’t a large bed, but it was big enough for two to fit. He went to the other side, and moved the game board to a table before draping himself over the covers with heavy sigh. He stretched with a groan and curled an arm over his eyes. “I should make you move,” he muttered.

[Soran Nightblade]

"Fuck off," Artisuren muttered. He tugged at the blanket pettily.

[Emora Deen]

Laurius grinned as he felt the blankets beneath him shift by a fraction from Artisuren’s tugging. “Be still,” he commanded. “You’re disturbing my sleep.”